MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Sell-Out Streak Now Second Longest in Pro Sports History

September 18, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons 10th season in the Midwest League was highlighted by the extension of the club's record-setting sell-out streak and a first-of-its-kind event, the historic Reds Futures Game.

Each of the Dragons 70 home games in 2009 resulted in sell-outs, extending the Dragons sell-out streak to 704 consecutive games. This is the longest sell-out streak in professional baseball history and the second longest in professional sports history. Every Dragons game ever played at Fifth Third Field since the club's inception in 2000 has been a sell-out.

Longest Sell-Outs Streaks in Professional Sports History

814 Portland Trail Blazers National Basketball Association 1977-'95

704 Dayton Dragons Minor League Baseball 2000-'09

662 Boston Celtics National Basketball Association 1980-'95

610 Chicago Bulls National Basketball Association 1987-'00

544 Boston Reds Sox Major League Baseball 2003-'09 (through 9/17)

For the 10th straight year, the Dragons finished first among all Single-A teams in the country in attendance and finished in the top-10 in all of Minor League Baseball. Total attendance for the season was 586,071. The Dragons attendance total over their 10 years surpassed the 5.9 million mark in 2009.

Reds Futures Game

On April 4th, the Cincinnati Reds visited Fifth Third Field in Dayton to meet their top prospects from the Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels. This game, known as the Reds Futures Game, marked the first time that a major league team played their top prospects in the ballpark where many of the players had played in their rise through the organization.

Dragons fans had the opportunity to see current Reds players, future Reds players, and former Dragons players who have advanced in the Reds farm system. Among the players on the Futures Team were Reds 2008 first round draft pick Yonder Alonso and other highly-regarded prospects including infielder/outfielder Todd Frazier; outfielders Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey; third baseman Juan Francisco; and pitchers Zach Stewart and Carlos Fisher.

Players wore special uniforms in the game and pre-game festivities included appearances by former Reds greats Ken Griffey, Sr., Eric Davis, Tommy Helms, and Jim O'Toole.

Other 2009 Highlights at Fifth Third Field:

Joey Votto Rehab Assignment, Home Run

Reds star first baseman Joey Votto, who played for the Dragons in 2003-'04, rejoined the Dragons for a two-day rehabilitation assignment on June 20-21. Votto's first night with the Dragons featured a new Dragons Single-Game attendance record at Fifth Third Field. Votto did not disappoint the crowd as he belted the very first pitch thrown to him for a home run over the right field fence.

Music Legends Concert

On July 10th, three of the biggest names in music history entertained fans at Fifth Third Field when Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp performed in a concert at the ballpark.

Atlantic 10 Championships

From May 20-23, the Atlantic 10 Conference Baseball Championship took place at Fifth Third Field. Number three seed Xavier emerged as the champion.

High School Baseball

For the fourth consecutive season, the Dragons played host to high school baseball at Fifth Third Field. In April and May, 46 area high school teams participated in 24 games.

Top 10 Ballparks in Minor League Baseball

In April, Baseball America released a list of the Top 10 Minor League ballparks in America and Dayton's Fifth Third Field made the list. The home of the Dragons ranked number seven and was the top rated Single-A facility.

Bob Ross Classic

On July 25th, the 10th Annual Bob Ross Classic was played at Fifth Third Field. The exhibition game showcased the best incoming high school seniors from 38 schools in the Miami Valley.

Dayton Dragons 2009 Recap

Final Record: 59-80

First Half: 28-42 (4th in Eastern Division)

Second Half: 31-38 (5th in Eastern Division)

Final Attendance: 586,071

Per Game Attendance Average: 8,494

2009 Midwest League All-Star Game Participants:

Kevin Coddington, Catcher

Matt Fairel, Left-handed Pitcher

2009 Dragons Award Winners

Miguel Rojas MWL "Best Defensive Shortstop" by Baseball America

Matt Fairel MWL Pitcher of the Week, April 20-26

Ezequiel Infante MWL Pitcher of the Week, August 3-9

Mark Serrano MWL Pitcher of the Week, August 10-16

Mark Serrano Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Month, August

Carlos Mendez MWL Batter of the Week, August 31-September 7

2009 Dragons Team Leaders

Batting

Batting Average: Carlos Mendez, .308

Home Runs: Cody Puckett, 19

Runs Batted In: Mendez/Puckett, 67

Stolen Bases: Dave Sappelt, 26

Games Played: Miguel Rojas, 130

Pitching

Victories: Matt Fairel/Curtis Partch, 8

Earned Run Average: Matt Fairel, 2.93

Saves: Aguido Gonzalez, 11

Games Pitched: Scott Gaffney, 41

Innings Pitched: Matt Fairel, 110.2

2009 Dragons Midwest League Leaders

Fielding Percentage, Shortstop: Miguel Rojas, .977

Midwest League Records Tied by Dragons in 2009

Kevyn Feiner Most Doubles, Game (4, at Lansing, August 8)

Dragons Club Records Set in 2009

Carlos Mendez Longest Consecutive Game Hitting Streak (20, July 17-August 8)

Kevyn Feiner Most Doubles, Game (4, at Lansing, August 8)

Team Most Doubles, Game (9, at Lansing, August 8)

Team Most Stolen Bases, Game (8, at Lansing, June 27)

Team Most Strikeouts (Pitchers), Game (20, vs. West Michigan, May 13)

Dragons Club Records Tied in 2009

Byron Wiley Most Home Runs, Game (3, at West Michigan, July 5)

Kevyn Feiner Most Hits, Game (5, at Lansing, August 8)

Other Dragons Notable Achievements, 2009

Outfielder Stephen Chapman hit two home runs and stole three bases on May 18 at Lansing.

Pitcher Matt Fairel struck out 13 batters on May 13 vs. West Michigan.

Nine consecutive Dragons reached base and scored in the first inning on May 22 at Quad Cities.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas hit the season's only "walk-off" home run on June 18 vs. West Michigan.

2009 Major League Rehabilitation Assignments with the Dragons

Joey Votto, First Baseman, June 20-21 (Votto hit a home run on the first pitch thrown to him)

Jared Burton, Pitcher, August 5

Former Dragons to Reach the Major Leagues in 2009

Carlos Fisher, Pitcher, Reds

Craig Tatum, Catcher, Reds

Robert Manuel, Pitcher, Reds

Jeff Stevens, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Drew Stubbs, Outfielder, Reds

Pedro Viola, Pitcher, Reds

Juan Francisco, Third Baseman, Reds

2009 Midwest League Champion: Fort Wayne TinCaps

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics



Midwest League Stories from September 18, 2009


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